the media has shifted the goal posts, but france doesn't generally govern with coalitions. the largest party is actually the national rally, and there's a good argument that they should be granted first chance to form government.

that would be hopeless, you claim.

well, given that the phony melanchon is going to be sent home with a nice gold watch (set to standard time, hopefully) for his decades of service to the banks rather than allowed into government, and the fake left has more in common with this so-called far right on first glance, it's worth a try.

the other option, a grand coalition, is clearly what the french bourgeoisie wants and has actually wanted for years. in a real sense, a grand coalition would neither be a failure nor an emergency but actually the idealization of macron's political vision. if he gets it, this will be a stunning victory for macron. macron might want to make the grand coalition permanent, and then dare the left or right to try to topple it.

that outcome is dangerous, but is where france is heading. the two demagogues would be best to realize it and break through what is turning into a prisoner's dilemma by co-operating with each other instead of wasting their time competing with each other. they will accomplish nothing via wasteful competition, but could be a revolutionary parliament that can pass real changes if they work together on common core issues, instead.